That's the nitty gritty. And the subject of my play WORLD AVOIDED. But, I want to share too, the people part of the week. When Steve and I arrived the first day of the meeting, he was swarmed by people from around the world hugging and kissing him. People he has worked with from 1 - 30 years on ozone. I stood back admiring the love. By about three days in, I was in the love. I was so embraced by this remarkable clan of people. I made like 12 fast friends. At least...more than 12. I've never quite had this experience before. Each was smart, dedicated, honest, fun, driven. We connected on so many levels. I should take a step back and say that as I was introduced the range of expressions on people's faces when we said I was writing a play on the MP was hysterical. Ultimately, most - there are some interesting holdouts - supported and were excited by the project. Then, as often happens to writers, one by one folks started telling me about their writing projects. I heard about novels, nonfiction work, screenplays, a wide range. And everyone has offered to help, invited me to email or call them, happy to read drafts. Lots of jokes about "auditioning" to be in the play and who would play who. I am one lucky and happy playwright. The experience was life changing. I hope I am expressing it clearly enough. We threw a last night party at our apartment. Served cheese and bread and everyone brought a bottle for wine tasting. There are three atmospheric scientists many acknowledged in Gore's Nobel win, a plant pathologist, a former Ozone Secretariat, a major NGO head, folks from EPA and other NGOs. Everyone is laughing, guessing the wines, eating the cheese. We can't say good-bye yet and head out to dinner. Finally we tear each other apart on the sidewalk promising to write, to call, to come together again soon. So much love. I am begging Steve to take me to the next meeting also in Paris in November. We shall see. As I said, happy playwright. I have a good sense now of what the play wants to be and am more confident that I can get there with the help of the connections I have made. I will share more as the work continues. I'll attach some photos that you might have seen on FB. Onward! To saving the planet.
